Month: May 2021

Reading Time: 9 minutes

Are you wanting to add value to your home? Loft conversions, new kitchens or real wood flooring and open plan living have been revealed amongst the top 5 most value-adding property features to invest in right now. 

In this blog, we will be looking at 5 ways to add value to your home, including:

 

1. Loft conversions / extensions
2. New kitchen
3. Open-plan living
4. Real wood floors
5. Designated work from home space

 

1. Loft Conversions

 

Wanting to add value to your home whilst utilising your space to its full potential? Then a loft conversion may be your answer. 

 

Loft conversions are often one of the best ways to add value to your home. This is because gardens are a highly thought of and desired feature in a home. However, in the current market, open plan living is also a desired feature. In turn, people are extending out into the back of the home, which of course affects the size of your garden.

 

So making use of your loft space is a great alternative to adding value to your home whilst adding space. 

 

Using Your Space

 

Why not create a cosy guest bedroom, the perfect study to work from home, or an extra bedroom for your growing family. Whatever the reason for needing extra space, lofts are versatile spaces in the home and can be used for almost any room needed. 

 

Whilst we can’t put a figure on how much value a loft conversion will add to your house as lots of factors will affect this, industry professionals research shows that a loft conversion will add an average of 21% to the value of your home. 

 

Adds Value to Your Home and Lifestyle

 

Not only does a loft conversion add value to your home, it will add value to your lifestyle. If you opt for a comfortable working space, it will enhance your working from home experience. If you opted to convert a 3 bedroomed home into a four, you have the use of the extra space to facilitate a growing family perhaps. 

 

Thinking more fun? You could even persuade other members of your family to convert it into a cinema or games room!

 

Either way, whatever your reason for converting, the extra space will help you achieve it!

 

Other Considerations

 

When it comes to a conversion of this level, there can be many factors to consider beyond its purpose, that you should consider prior to beginning your conversion. This is because these considerations may affect your ability to convert your loft space.

 

1. Planning Permission – Always seek to get planning permission prior to making alterations to the structure of your home
2. Different uses of the space will have a different impact on the value added.
3. Different types of conversion will add different values to your home
4. A loft conversion may affect your insurance policy 
5. With this room being at the top of the home, flooring is a major consideration. Flooring such as EvoCore, or using Underlay will help with noise reduction for the rooms below. 

 

All in all, a loft conversion is a great investment when it comes to adding value to your home. It is one of those decisions that can often pay for itself when it comes to seeing a return in the value it has created, not only in space but in your lifestyle too!

2. New Kitchens 

 

Next on this list is the heart of the home, kitchens! 

 

Installing a new kitchen can add roughly between 5-15% to your property value. This range is quite large however many different factors can affect this. Size, design and style are just some of the factors that can affect the added value.

 

Considering the style and age of your property is essential when choosing your kitchen design. Having a period property and incorporating an all-singing, all-dancing kitchen with in-built LED lights and built-in speakers, may not correspond well with the rest of the property. 

 

If you’re investing in a new kitchen because you’re selling up, this may put off potential buyers.

 

Designing your kitchen 

 

Now the fun part; the design! There are many ways to add value to your home with a new kitchen design, doing the research into latest trends, and how to add value to your home with a new kitchen design is a great way to begin your design.

 

Below are some of our favourite options for designing your kitchen with adding value to your property in mind.

 

Light and Airy

 

Light and airy kitchen designs are currently a desired kitchen design. When you imagine your dream kitchen, does it have an island and bi-fold doors? Come on, we know it does!

 

This is easily achievable by opting for more neutral colours in your worktops, cabinets and flooring. 

 

Flooring actually plays a large role in the overall look and feel of your home. If it’s a light and airy aesthetic you decide on, Great!

 

This will open up your space and make your kitchen feel bigger. There are a wide range of flooring options available that offer lighter tones that you can incorporate. So you’re definitely not limited and budget shouldn’t be an issue when it comes to wanting to open up your room.

 

Make most of your space

 

Making the most of your space is a great way to impress with a new kitchen. 

 

We’ve all seen those swanky wine coolers built into an island, or the singular cupboards that pull out and transform into a multitude of organised compartments. Organisational heaven! 

 

Another way to make the most of your space is to conceal your appliances. Having an in-built dishwasher or fridge concealed within a cupboard space can help with space saving as having a large bulky fridge can give the illusion there is less space as well as taking away from the design and creating an eye-sore in some cases.

 

Maximising your space is the perfect way to make the most out of your kitchen space whilst adding value to your home.

 

Multifunctional Spaces

 

Being the heart of the home, this room tends to attract a lot of love for having time spent here. This has created a need for multifunctional spaces. 

Creating a space where you can cook, eat and entertain is a great way to make the most out of your kitchen, which is why this design is a desired option. 

 

Tip: Being frequented a lot by the whole family, this makes this room of the home a high traffic area. A versatile flooring such as EvoCore can not only withstand the pressures of a high traffic area of the home but also the demands of a kitchen whilst looking stunning in the process.

 

Hopefully some of these design ideas get the creative juices going when it comes to your kitchen design and adding value to your home. Doing the research into the best design for your home is paramount. 

 

3. Open Plan Living 

 

The home improvement that can add value to your home we will take a look at is Open-plan living. 

 

This living style has grown in popularity, providing the space and opportunity for families and friends to spend quality time together whilst eating, living, cooking, cleaning, entertaining. 

 

Whatever you’re doing, open-plan living allows you to combine multiple functional rooms together seamlessly without the transition of door or hallways.

 

Time with family and friends is of high value, and that combined with the stunning finish an open-plan design can offer, is what makes this home improvement in high demand. So if you’re selling up, this style of living might be a desired one when it comes to potential buyers. 

 

Some homes have multi-use spaces. One of these uses often being the kitchen with desired modern designs typically compromising of an open-plan layout creating a light and airy vibe, as well as adding a social aspect. 

Add an extra layer to your design and introduce flooring zones. This can often be a way to create distinctive areas depending on usage and distinguish between areas whilst still housing them in one space. 

Take an open plan kitchen diner for instance. Zoning can be a great way to separate the two, having defined areas with their own vibes. In addition, adding a tiled flooring in the kitchen, flowing to a wood flooring in the dining space of the room could be just one of the many kitchen flooring ideas that could enhance your space.

 

 

Mix and Match Designs with EvoCore 360

More open to open-plan living? Great! This home improvement is pretty much guaranteed to improve your home and quality time with your loved ones. Which are all added benefits after adding value to your property. 

 

EvoCore 360 flooring is a great way to exercise zoning within your open plan living spaces. It’s 360 omni click system allows for an easy installation and unique patterns and styles to be achieved, including the popular Herringbone design and the ability to fit wood to tile.

 

4. Real-Wood Floors

 

Real Wood Floors are a sought after flooring option for many homeowners. They offer a timeless design, complimenting any décor, period or contemporary, as well as providing a luxurious feel.

 

Not only that, the longevity of wood flooring is exceptional, with them lasting a lifetime when looked after property. So when it comes to a worth while home improvement, this one is definitely worth it!

 

One of the beauties of wood flooring is that you can sand and reseal your wood flooring if it starts to look worn. 

 

Due to the quality of this type of flooring, it’s of a higher expense than your Laminates or LVT’s. However, its elegant appearance and longevity are enough to warrant the higher cost.

 

Real Wood flooring is available in a wide range of colours and styles, even offering captivating parquet designs. So there is something for everyone when it comes to aesthetics and preference.

 

Because of the benefits Wood Flooring offers, this in turn adds value to your home, making this another home improvement that is worth the investment!

 

5. Designated Working From Home Space

 

Last but not least in ways to add value to your home is adding a designated working from home space to your property.

 

Working from home space is not something that everyone requires; however, it may attract potential buyers. This is because many people have families with children that may need a place to do their schoolwork, they may be self-employed and need somewhere to work themselves or it may be used as a place to support hobbies such as artistry or writing. 

The possibilities are endless.

 

The great thing about this investment is that it is usually not a large expense, and you can often use a space that already exists in your home. 

 

An attic, an annex, a spare room or a sun house are common rooms converted into designated working from home spaces. 

 

Top Tip: If your designated working from home space is in fact housed within your sunroom, ensure that you have got the correct flooring to support the pressure of this room. Be aware of temperature moisture and fluctuations if this room is not fully regulated. EvoCore is the perfect flooring option to meet the demands of a room such as this as it is not affected by either of these issues.

 

Who knew working from home would be beneficial? In the name of adding value to your home, it can add around 5% to your property. So pull out the desks and filing cabinets, and make a start on your home office now.

 

Ready to start improving your home? Hopefully this blog has given you some ideas on how to add value to your home. Whether it’s to enhance your lifestyle whilst you’re living in your home or to add value to sell up and attract potential buyers, these ideas may help you decide on the best investments for you. 

 

If you have any questions regarding the best flooring for any of these spaces, get in touch with one of our flooring experts today who will be more than happy to help you. 

 

The post 5 Home Improvements to Invest in During 2021 appeared first on Direct Wood Flooring Blog.

Preventing damage to your flooring is one of the best things you can do to keep your hardwood floors in great condition for years to come. It’s unrealistic to think your floors will never get damaged, because light wear and tear is normal. However, there are a few key steps you can take to prevent more damage than necessary. 

Source: Unsplash

Preventing hardwood flooring damage starts even before you install your flooring. If you are in a position where you can pick your own flooring, it’s best to research what type of hardwoods will work best for your house. Some hardwoods naturally have character and more “imperfections” that are better at hiding scratches. Species like White Oak and Red Oak and Hickory are known for these characteristics, and might be a good option in high traffic areas with kids or pets. You can read more about hardwood flooring textures here. 

Understanding where species of wood falls on the Janka scale is also important. The Janka scale rates the durability and hardness of hardwood flooring, which is an important factor in understanding how different styles of floors will hold up long term. 

Source: superiorflooring.ca

After you purchase and install your hardwood floor, moving furniture as minimally as possible is crucial. Dragging larger pieces like tables and sofas give a greater possibility of scratching. If you do see yourself having to move furniture periodically, it’s best to invest in felt pads or protectors that attach to the bottom of furniture. Even if you don’t plan on moving furniture, adding these small preventative elements can help protect your hardwoods from accidental sliding. Remember, if you do need to move a piece of furniture, you should always lift and never drag. 

It’s also critical to maintain consistent levels of moisture and humidity in your home. Excessive moisture in your home can cause your floors to expand, while too little moisture can cause hardwoods to contract and shrink. In order to maintain proper humidity levels, we recommend using an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or a humidifier in the winter. Wood species will react differently in different geographic locations, so make sure you understand what types of hardwood flooring works best for your climate before you buy. 

Other ideas to keep in mind are to try and prevent any water damage from occurring in the first place, and installing curtains to minimize sun exposure. It’s best to occasionally rearrange furniture (with protective padding!) every few years to prevent sun damage in isolated areas as well. 

Also remember to be cautious when cleaning. No vinegar and water! Some products, like Rejuvenate, have been known to destroy certain types of hardwoods. We highly recommend our very own MacDonald Easy Hardwood Floor Cleaner to ensure no damage is done to your floors. With these tips in mind, your hardwood floors should be glowing for years to come.

There’s no doubt that the term “western style” will evoke a John Wayne-esque image in your mind of a room filled with cow hides. But a more modern western style home has evolved from floor to ceiling wood and antlers as decoration. While you can use these elements in moderation, western style today plays into its classic heritage while also incorporating more modern elements. Below, we’re explaining the best way to achieve a tasteful, western decor in your home.

Photo by Christian Harder, Elle Decor

Choose your Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors lay the perfect backdrop for any western styled home. Because elements in this style of decor tend to feature bold patterns and colors, a neutral floor is a good base for your room’s palate. A more traditional approach may feature warmer oak, hickory and light maple species.

However, it’s important to note that any hardwood flooring can match your ideal western decor if you plan ahead. Even cooler colors like a dark maple can work well in a western home. It’s important to understand the overall aesthetic you’re trying to achieve first, which is why hardwood flooring is one of the most important styling decisions you’ll make throughout your home designing process.

Photo Courtesy of tidbitsandtwine.com

Don’t Forget Lighting

Warm lighting is key when creating a western style home. Unlike sleek, minimal designs, western influence is reminiscent of cozy cabins and fireplaces. If you’re going full western, look for copper lanterns and pendants with farmland scenes on them. If you’re going for a more subtle look, embrace tableside lamps in warm, neutral colors.

No matter how far into the western aesthetic you’re going towards, comfort lighting is key. You wouldn’t associate fluorescent lights with this decor, so embrace the cozy and gravitate towards warmer hues.

Photo by Sante Fe Properties, a member of Luxury Portfolio International

Texture Brings the Room Together

One of the best parts of a western style home is the amount of playful patterns and textures you can incorporate. While colors in this type of home generally lean more neutral – with deep red and orange accents – texture is where you can have more fun.

Consider accents like cowhide rugs and throws mixed with vibrant quilts. Dark leather makes for great sofa and chair materials. Turquoise accessories can add subtle pops of color throughout a room. Whether you’re fully committing to the style or choosing a few key pieces, western accessories can tie any home together.